A CONSORTIUM in agrobusiness industry has unveiled a climate-smart agriculture solution to equip 4,000 farmers and livestock keepers to boost food security and sustainable dairy production in Kano.

The groups led by L&Z Integrated Farms, in partnership with the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) and German development agency, GIZ believed the capacity building remains the only catalyst to sustained dairy production.

Founder and Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, Muhammadu Damakka Abubakar, disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of a training programme under the Green Harvest Initiative, an intervention designed to promote sustainable farming practices, improve livestock productivity and reduce herder migration.

Abubakar said the initiative goes beyond classroom training, noting that it includes the establishment of climate-smart demonstration farms where beneficiaries would be taught practical methods of fodder cultivation and livestock feeding.

“The training is just one component of the project. We also have enhanced climate-smart demonstration farms where beneficiaries will be taught how to cultivate drought-resistant fodder in their backyards and communities for feeding their animals and for commercial purposes,” he said.

He explained that poor access to feed, water and basic social amenities accounts for about 90 per cent of the challenges facing Nigeria’s local dairy industry, adding that the project seeks to address these gaps through sustainable solutions.

According to him, beneficiaries would be trained on climate-friendly fodder production, compost management, use of biodigesters and reduced reliance on inorganic fertilisers, to minimise environmental degradation and carbon emissions.

Abubakar said the project would also focus on cooperative business management to encourage herders and smallholder farmers to adopt agribusiness models rather than relying solely on traditional livestock rearing practices.

“When animals have good feed, productivity increases, health issues reduce and farmers can generate more milk and beef. With a business mindset, this translates into economic empowerment and sustainability,” he said.

He disclosed that the project would initially commence with a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme, where selected participants would in turn train others at the grassroots.

“We are starting with 400 trainers, who will each train other farmers. Through this cascading model, we expect to reach about 4,000 farmers in the medium term,” he said.

Abubakar noted that the project, which commenced in 2025, is expected to run till December 2026, with projections extending into the first half of 2027 to achieve full impact.

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of L&Z Integrated Farms and focal person for the Green Harvest Initiative, Dr Adelaja, said the programme places strong emphasis on mentorship, monitoring and inclusion.

He said beneficiaries would be allocated land at demonstration farms, provided with seedlings and guided by field officers, monitoring and evaluation teams and inclusion officers to ensure equal participation of men and women.

“Our target is 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women. After the practical training, beneficiaries will return to their communities where we will continue engagement, organise them into cooperatives and support them with agribusiness education,” he said.

He added that the initiative is expected to enhance food sufficiency, livestock security and rural livelihoods, while promoting environmentally responsible agricultural practices across beneficiary communities.